Summary
The BMW M3 Competition is a high-performance saloon based on the regular 3 Series range. It is the latest in a long line of performance 3 Serires models that dates back to the mid-1980s.
Now in its sixth generation, the BMW M3 has been only produced as a four-door saloon since 2014, coupé and convertible variants being rebranded as the BMW M4. However, an estate version (the BMW M3 Touring) will join the range for the first time later in 2022.
Here in the UK, we only get the M3 Competition model, which is powered by a 3.0-litre, twin-turbo, six-cylinder petrol engine that produces 510hp and drives through an eight-speed automatic transmission. While previous generations were always only offered in BMW’s traditional rear-wheel-drive format, the latest M3 is also available in an all-wheel drive configuration (which is called ‘xDrive’ in BMW jargon).
The M3 has had a very positive reception from the British media since its arrival at the start of 2021, with all of the reviews we track commending the saloon for its impressive performance despite this latest generation being heavier and bulkier than its predecessors.
What Car?, among others, praises the M3 for its ride comfort and premium interior trim, as well as its “staggering pace and grip”. Auto Trader concludes that the saloon’s blend of performance and practicality makes it the most appealing M3 iteration to date, while Carwow sums up its review by calling the M3 “nothing short of sensational to drive”.
Beyond the polarising grille designs that BMW is rolling out across its entire ‘M’ range, there have been very few criticisms of the M3 beyond the expected quibbles over price and that ride comfort is compromised in pursuit of handling – which any prospective customer is likely to expect anyway.
Nevertheless, most reviewers would recommend the BMW M3 over any other performance saloon its class, including the Mercedes-AMG C63 and Audi RS 4. Only the Alfa Romeo Giulia Quadrifoglio is generally considered to be on a par with the M3 saloon.
As of February 2023, the BMW M3 holds an Expert Rating of 84% from 15 published reviews, which is the same as its sister model, the M4. This score may shift up or down once the estate version is launched in the UK later this year.
M3 highlights
- Thrilling performance
- Comfortable and practical cabin
- Agile handling and body control
M3 lowlights
- Very expensive compared to the regular 3 Series
- Polarising front-end styling
- Alternatives have more interior comfort
Key specifications
Body style: Four-door sports saloon
Engines: petrol
Price: From £75,660 on-road
Launched: Spring 2021
Last updated: Summer 2021
Replacement due: TBA
Image gallery
Media reviews
Reviews, road test and comparisons from across the UK automotive media. Click any of the boxes to view.
Auto Express
Model reviewed: M3 Touring
Score: 9 / 10
“We’ve waited a long time for an estate version of the BMW M3, but it’s been worth it. This ultra-fast wagon is a superb performance car that still delivers all the driver thrills you might crave, along with the usability and practicality of a family estate car. The tech on offer is great, but it’s the Touring’s wide breadth of dynamic ability that really impresses.” (Jordan Katsianis)
Read review
Score: 9 / 10
“More rounded, more versatile but still able to deliver the thunderous performance M cars are famous for, the new BMW M3 hits the mark.”
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Auto Trader
Score: 9 / 10
“The BMW M3’s combination of sports car chasing performance and saloon car practicality is as appealing as ever.”
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Autocar
Model reviewed: M3 xDrive
Score: 8 / 10
“Without a direct back-to-back comparison during laid-back road driving, you would be hard pushed to tell the difference between the rear-drive M3 and the xDrive M3. I had a two-week gap between drives and couldn’t.”
Read review
Model reviewed: M3 Competition
Score: 8 / 10
“The hot version of the superb latest 3 Series saloon is here at last, bigger, brawnier and brasher than before.”
Read review
Car
Model reviewed: M3 Touring
Score: 8 / 10
“The new 2023 BMW M3 Touring Competition confidently, effortlessly saunters in and settles down at the head of the estate car class. The Audi RS 4 Avant, as appealing as it is, does not have the steering or brakes to live with the M3 Touring.” (Keith Adams)
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Car Keys
Score: 10 / 10
“BMW has managed to ensure the M3 remains just as exciting and focused as ever, yet while also taming it down in the process and making it a lot more manageable.”
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Carbuyer
Score: 8.2 / 10
“The BMW M3 is still one of the very best sports saloons”
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Carwow
Score: 9 / 10
“The new BMW M3 is nothing short of sensational to drive.”
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Evo
Model reviewed:
Score: 9 / 10
“It’s bigger and heavier than before, and is now auto-only. So can it copy the new M4’s trick of still being fun to drive? You bet it can.”
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Parkers
Model reviewed:
Score: 8 / 10
“Devastatingly adept super saloon is flawed and brilliant”
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The Sunday Times
Score: 10 / 10
“A flat out winner — get the BMW M3 while you can.”
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Top Gear
Model reviewed: Competition
Score: 9 / 10
“No other sports or super-saloon is as capable, grippy, tied down, responsive or communicative on a difficult road as a BMW M3 Competition.”
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What Car?
Score: 10 / 10
“The BMW M3 is a brilliant performance saloon that’s far more capable (if not necessarily more fun) than its main rival, the V8-powered Mercedes C63 AMG.”
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Which?
Model reviewed: M3 Competition
“On paper, the new BMW M3 is quite unlike any of the models that preceded it, being bigger, heavier and with a greater focus on luxury than ever before. On the road it’s clear that none of the driver focus has been lost, though its sheer speed can sometimes feel like overkill.”
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Safety rating
Independent crash test and safety ratings from Euro NCAP
Overall score: 5 stars
Date tested: July 2019
Read the full Euro NCAP review
Adult protection: 97%
Child protection: 87%
Vulnerable road users: 87%
Safety assist: 76%
The BMW M3 Competition shares its safety rating with the mainstream BMW 3 Series saloon, which was tested by Euro NCAP back in 2019 and awarded a five-star rating.
The M3 comes with a number of safety features as standard, such as automatic emergency braking and lane-keeping assist.
Eco rating
Independent economy and emissions ratings from Green NCAP
No eco rating
As of February 2023, the BMW M3 has not been lab tested by Green NCAP. We’re not expecting it to be tested anytime soon.
Awards
Trophies, prizes and awards that the BMW M3 has received
2020
- Top Gear Car Awards – Most Anticipated Car
Similar cars
If you’re looking at the BMW M3, you might also be interested in these alternatives
Alfa Romeo Giulia Quadrifoglio | Audi RS 4 | Audi RS 5 | BMW M4 | Ford Mustang | Jaguar XE Project 8 | Lexus RC F | Mercedes-AMG C63 | Nissan GT-R
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